Moving a Refrigerator and Washing Machine in Jeddah: Prep and Start-Up

Two heavy, sensitive items: the fridge and the washing machine

In almost every house move, the refrigerator and the washing machine top the list of worries. That is understandable. Both are heavy and expensive, and both contain delicate systems: a fridge has a compressor and cooling lines, while a washer has a drum suspended on springs, a pump and hoses. A small mistake in lifting, tilting or securing can cause a fault that only shows up days after delivery. This guide explains how we handle these two appliances and other large household machines, and what you should do before and after moving day.

Please remember that these are general guidelines. The manufacturer's manual for your appliance is always the first reference, since each brand sets its own rules for transport and start-up. If you have the manual or know the model, tell us when you book.

Preparing the refrigerator one or two days ahead

The first step is to empty the fridge and freezer completely. Food is never carried inside, because it adds weight and spoils with any delay. Plan to use up perishables in the days before the move and carry what remains in cool bags or insulated boxes. After emptying, unplug the fridge early enough for frost in the freezer to melt, because meltwater leaking during transport can soak floors and nearby items. Put an absorbent cloth underneath and leave the doors slightly open so the interior can air and dry; trapped moisture produces a bad smell.

Remove glass shelves that lift out and wrap them separately, and secure drawers and loose parts with suitable tape. If the fridge has a water dispenser or ice maker, disconnect and drain the water line. Doors should be strapped or taped so they cannot swing open while the unit is carried.

How we lift and carry a fridge

A refrigerator is best carried upright. If we must tilt it, for example to pass a narrow doorway, we tilt it at a small angle for the shortest time possible and then leave it standing before it is switched on, since tilting can move compressor oil around the circuit. For the same reason we advise against laying a fridge on its side or back inside a truck. We use an appliance trolley with straps, a team of at least two, and covers to protect corners and doors.

In the truck the fridge is strapped to the wall of the cargo area so it cannot shift on bends, and kept away from sharp-edged items. We make sure no heavy boxes or other furniture are placed on top of it.

When to switch the fridge on after arrival

Manufacturers' advice varies, but the common rule is to let the fridge stand upright for several hours before plugging it in, especially if it was tilted in transit, so the oil can settle. Some brands suggest two hours, others four or more, so consult the manual. After you power it on, it needs time to cool before you load it with food. Do not pack it immediately; check the temperature and wait until it stabilises.

Place the fridge where there is air space at the back and sides as the manufacturer recommends, and not against a hot wall or beside the oven. In Jeddah's hot climate this directly affects cooling efficiency and electricity use.

Preparing the washing machine: transit bolts and hoses

Many front-loading washers are sold with transit bolts or brackets that are removed at first installation. They matter a great deal when you move later, because they lock the drum so it does not bang against the casing. If you still have them, keep them; if you lost them, ask the dealer for replacements. Disconnect the inlet and drain hoses, drain any water left in the hoses and the lower filter, dry the door seal, and leave the door ajar so mould odours do not form.

For top-loaders, or stacked washer-dryer units, it is best to move each machine separately. We check the power cable and plug and coil them so they are not squeezed. We never move a washer with clothes inside; that adds weight and causes vibration and scratches.

Other large appliances: oven, dishwasher, dryer and chest freezer

Freestanding ovens, dishwashers, dryers and separate freezers need similar precautions. A gas oven must be disconnected from its supply by following safe procedures, and that is best done by a gas technician. A dishwasher needs its pump drained, hoses disconnected and racks secured. A chest freezer needs full defrosting, drying and emptying. We do not perform gas or technical electrical work, but we organise the lifting and transport once the disconnection has been done.

Getting through doors, elevators and stairs

Sometimes the problem is not weight but size. Before moving day, measure the fridge's width, height and depth, and measure the main door, the building entrance, the elevator cabin and the width of the stairs. If a fridge is wider than a door by a small margin, taking off the doors or handles can be enough. If it simply will not fit, we may need a winch or a lift; see our hydraulic lift and winch service to learn when that applies.

Quick table: appliance, your preparation, our attention

Protection inside the truck and on the road

How appliances are arranged in the truck affects their safety. Heavy machines go at the bottom and near the front of the cargo area, arranged so they do not press on lighter furniture. We use thick covers and fixed straps and avoid placing machines next to sharp items. We also keep Jeddah's heat in mind: in summer, temperatures in a closed cargo area can rise, so we try not to leave the loaded truck standing in the sun for long.

After arrival: installation and testing

When an appliance arrives, inspect its exterior for scratches or dents before it goes inside, then place it and check it is level. A washer needs a level floor so it does not shake during spin, and its feet may need adjusting. Connect hoses and make sure nothing leaks, remove the transit bolts if you had fitted them before the first use, and run a short test cycle. For the fridge, wait the necessary time before switching on as described above, then watch the noise and cooling over the first two days.

If you notice a leak or an unusual noise, contact the brand's authorised service centre. We record the visible condition of appliances at delivery with photos so there is something to refer to.

Common mistakes we see often

• Moving a fridge with food or meltwater inside, causing leaks and odours.
• Laying a fridge on its side in a small vehicle and plugging it in as soon as it arrives.
• Forgetting or losing the drum transit bolts of a washing machine.
• Sliding an appliance across the floor instead of lifting it, which scratches marble and tiles.
• Measuring the appliance but not the doors and elevator, and discovering the problem too late.
• Connecting a washer with old cracked hoses after the move.

Timing the move in Jeddah and keeping the fridge off for less time

A fridge is the appliance a household least wants to be without. We suggest planning the move so the fridge is among the last items unplugged at the old home and the first connected at the new one, allowing for the waiting period before start-up. Plan meals for moving day so you do not depend on the fridge, and keep a small cool bag for medicines and essentials. In hot months, early morning or late afternoon loading is kinder to the crew and to the appliances, since the cargo area heats up and waiting with open appliances is unpleasant.

Cleaning appliances before and after the move

It is wise to clean the fridge inside before the final emptying, dry it, and leave it slightly open for ventilation. Placing a small bag of charcoal or baking soda inside during transit helps absorb odours, because a closed fridge develops a heavy smell after a few days. A washer also needs its detergent drawer and filter cleaned, since leftover water and detergent can turn mouldy in the heat. On arrival, wipe the outside before bringing the appliance in, because road dust and loading residue can dirty the new floor.

Is the new home ready for the appliance?

Before the appliance arrives, make sure the spot is prepared: a sound socket suitable for the load and earthed if required, a water tap and drain outlet for the washer at the right height and position, and air space behind the fridge. If pipes are fitted in a position that does not suit the machine, it is better for a plumber to adjust them before arrival, not while the crew stands waiting. Measure the space and allow a margin for ventilation and door opening, because some fridge doors need front or side clearance to open fully. Our guide on preparing your new home covers the wider checklist, and if you have a knock-down kitchen next to the appliances, see furniture dismantling and assembly.

How to arrange appliance moving with us

When you contact us, mention the types of appliance and their approximate sizes, the floor, whether there is an elevator, and the width of doors if you know it. This tells us how many workers and what equipment are needed, and it affects the price. We do not publish fixed prices here and we explain the factors before the appointment. You can read our furniture moving prices guide for the general factors. Call us or message us on WhatsApp and we will arrange a suitable time.